If you’ve ever gone tile shopping, you’ll know that the options are numerous and diverse, and that porcelain and ceramic tiles come in a variety of styles, each suited to a certain use. Some tiles are only acceptable for use on walls, while others are only ideal for use on floors, while still others may be used on both. Aside from aesthetics and design, there are many additional elements that influence whether a specific tile is acceptable for a given application. This can be really confusing for tile importers. If you are a tiles importer and looking for ceramic tile exporters, it is necessary to have knowledge of PEI ratings.
To make things a bit easier, the tile industry offers what’s known as a PEI rating, which is essentially a number based on testing by the Porcelain Enamel Institute. Although it is not a regulatory body, its mission statement states that it is “dedicated to advancing the common interests of porcelain enameling plants and suppliers of porcelain enameling materials and equipment.”
PEI Rating Categories
Let’s get to know more about them below.
- Group 0
This category is inclusive of tiles that are functionally not suitable for flooring applications. These tiles can be both ceramic and porcelain but primarily they are ceramic tiles that are ranked this way.
- Group 1 (PEI 1)
The tiles falling under Group 1 are suitable for areas where people use softer footwear or don’t use footwear at all. These tiles can be used for interior domestic and commercial wall applications. These tiles are commonly supplied by ceramic tile exporters.
- Group 2 (PEI 2)
PEI 2 certified tiles are appropriate for areas subjected to regular domestic usage — places walked on by soft-soled or ‘normal’ footwear with very little scratching dirt. PEI 2 tiles are not ideal for use in kitchens, entry halls, staircases, or other high-traffic areas.
- Group 3 (PEI 3)
PEI 3 tiles are appropriate for all residential and light commercial applications like offices, reception areas, shops, interior walls, worktops, and residential bathroom floors. They are not, however, suggested for use in business lobbies or entryways.
- Group 4 (PEI 4)
Tiles having a PEI rating of 4 are appropriate for installations that see heavy foot activity. Restaurants, motels, hospital lobbies, and hallways are examples of medium commercial and light institutional applications.
- Group 5 (PEI 5)
PEI 5 certified tiles are appropriate for places that must withstand heavy foot traffic, abrasive dirt, and dampness, as well as where safety and optimal performance, are necessary. This PEI classification is commonly found in retail malls, public buildings, recreational centers, airports, and swimming pools.
The Conclusion
If you are looking to import tiles, these PEI ratings help tile importers and homeowners in determining the right kind of tile for the proposed application. So, next time you explore the best tile suppliers in India, do look at the PEI rating of the tiles you are interested in.
